Thanks to the 795 readers who tried their luck and tested their skill in the $300 Sheridan Hoops Freeroll last night. Kudos to “bigshot118” who avoided the highest-priced players and got huge nights from Paul George and Jrue Holiday to win the $100 first prize. “Justin0408” was just 5.75 points back in second to earn $60, despite Luol Deng aggravating an injury and leaving early. As I always say, the Salary Cap game requires both skill and luck to win.
I did win $13.50 in a 3-man Snake draft on Friday, but whiffed on my picks in the Freeroll (finishing #210) and various GPP leagues, so the $100 weekly bankroll has dwindled to $46 with just two days left to turn things around. My streak of three consecutive winning weeks is in jeopardy, but in daily fantasy leagues, almost anything can happen.
There are eight NBA games to choose from, though I’ve found Saturdays to be somewhat unpredictable and will be cautious with tonight’s investments.
Don’t forget that DraftStreet also has leagues for college basketball and NHL hockey, if you’re a fan of those games. My focus is entirely on the NBA; I watch NCAA hoops more to ‘scout’ future fantasy draft picks than to root for a given team. It’s also fun as a Canadian to see talented youngsters like Anthony Bennett emerge, and Andrew Wiggins will be next. By 2016 our national team might be pretty good.
| DraftStreet 15 | Jan. 19 |
| Stars | Over $13,000 |
| Al Jefferson | $17,200 |
| James Harden | $16,878 |
| LaMarcus Aldridge | $17, 441 |
| Tim Duncan | $16,929 |
| Andrei Kirilenko | $13,747 |
| Scrubs | Under $9,000 |
| John Henson | $8,892 |
| Marreese Speights | $8,822 |
| Gerald Henderson | $7,954 |
| Jimmy Butler | $5,004 |
| Greg Stiemsma | $4,808 |
| Starters | $9,000 to $13,000 |
| Omer Asik | $12,249 |
| Jarrett Jack | $12,095 |
| Luke Ridnour | $10,945 |
| Matt Barnes | $10,917 |
| Kemba Walker | $12,680 |
The chart offers five suggestions in three different salary ranges, but there are thousands of possible lineup combinations. Here’s one I’m intending to use, though breaking news about injuries or illnesses can lead to re-evaluating players. You can make unlimited roster changes until the 7:00 EST deadline.
F1 LaMarcus Aldridge (POR-F) $17,441
F2 Andrei Kirilenko (MIN-F) $13,747
G1 Kemba Walker (CHA-G) $12,680
G2 Luke Ridnour (MIN-G) $10,945
C1 Al Jefferson (UTA-C) $17,200
C2 Omer Asik (HOU-C) $12,249
U1 Matt Barnes (LAC-F) $10,917
U2 Greg Stiemsma (MIN-C) $4,808
The key guys for me are Al Jefferson and LaMarcus Aldridge, and I’m using three Minnesota players who might outperform their salaries. AK-47 is a hunch; normally a defensive specialist, he might have to become more aggressive as the Timberwolves have run out of healthy scorers.
If you still haven’t joined, click here to open a DraftStreet account. Start with a free league that will help you learn the rules, then make a deposit and enter a $2 contest.
The Fantasy Spin, published by 9:00 every morning, previews all eight Saturday games and reviews what happened on a wacky Friday full of overtimes and upsets.